New Project Car

The car show has taken on another Project car. This time the owner of the car is paying the cost of parts for the restoration and all of us, Ken, David and I will try to make it work.

TR-6 Rebuild

Here is the back story on the car, because after all no restoration is complete without a story.
When I was growing up I had a couple of Uncles that were a great help to me. One, my uncle Paul was one of those great guys that never drew attention to himself. He was active in his Church from a young age, married his high school sweetheart, joined the Air Force, graduated from The University of Texas with an Engineering degree on the G.I Bill and went to work. He and my aunt had two great kids one is a talented musician living in Nashville and the other is a graduate of the Air Force Academy. Paul (my uncle) took a job at Red River Army Depot as a Structural Engineer in 1979 and worked his way up, over a thirty year period to Deputy Commander of Red River Army Depot, a re-fitment base outside of Texarkana for war-time machines like Bradley’s and Hummers. He went on to receive the AUSA Citation for Exceptional Service. The award is presented to those who show exemplary service to the Army and the community. It was the first time that the award had been given posthumously.

A little over a year ago he went to visit his son and daughter in-law stationed in Guam to see his granddaughter for the first time. I’m sure it was one of his happiest days on the planet. He passed away on that trip, too early, a victim of an (ironically enough) enlarged heart. Because award winner or not Paul Addington was the kind of man we need more of. A happy man, who loved people and country and was generous with his time, knowledge and humor.
His son is currently a Captain in the Air Force serving in Iraq. He is the husband of a beautiful girl and the father of a very happy and just as beautiful daughter. Matt’s just one of those good guys, like his dad.

It would take too long to tell you how much my uncle meant to me in my younger years. He always seemed to be there to share good advice and be a good example. He also was a riot sometimes. I’m trying to pay him back for the many kind things he did for me.

Paul bought a Triumph TR6 (shown in the gallery) new in Georgia in 1974. I remember driving with him on trips from Austin to New Boston. I also remember working on that Triumph. Honestly my uncle was the one who gave me the car bug.
Paul’s son wanted to re-do the car…only faster (chip off the old block). So, we decided since we could make the straight six only achieve about 140-150HP we would just throw in a small block! Isn’t that the red-neck way. It was good enough for Carroll Shelby. It should work for us.

Ken and I have been working on the car for about two months. I will continue to add to the gallery as the build progresses and I’m sure it will be discussed on the show now and then.

You know what I love about cars? The relationships they make. With my involvement in the show I’ve added some great friends in David and Ken and could not do this without their help. Also, thanks to Ken’s friend (can’t say his name) for letting us use his shop.

We hope to make this TR-6 fast and mean. Follow along with us and enjoy the ride.
Thanks to all of you who continue to put up with whatever it is that David Ken and I throw out there each week on The Car Show. Without you there is no show and no build.

Ok, here’s the deal with the projected build:
It’s a garage kept 30 year-old British made Triumph TR-6. It came from the factory with a straight-six pushing out about 94HP and a couple of hundred foot-pounds of torque. Not bad when you consider it weighs in around 2400lbs. The brakes are front disc and rear drum. The frame is surprisingly strong.

So, being the thick necked brood that we are we decided to drop in a G.M. crate motor and Tremec five-speed transmission with a hydraulic clutch. The motor will put out just about three-hundred horse power and about the same torque (three times the power of the stocker).

The brakes will probably be Wilwood disc on all four corners. We will add a Hotchkis suspension and tires and wheels, but the owner wants to keep a stock look. We will replace the wiring harness and gauge set. Much more is planned but you can just follow along in pictures. You guys like pictures, right?

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The Car Show - with Lonnie Johnson. Do you want to keep up to speed on what’s happening in the automotive world? Join Lonnie Johnson and crew every Saturday morning as they spend two hours watching Telemundo and talking about cars. From the showroom to the shop floor they cover it all. Along with Ken (the snake) Davis, and David Irwin, managing partner of Tyler Ford, everyone tries to keep Lonnie in line. You get the absolute latest news from the car world.

Each week the car show offers interviews with industry insiders, a road test from Lonnie Johnson and of course we welcome your calls and questions. But with all this content we promise not to let information get in the way of a good time. This isn’t your old man’s car show. It’s more like your crazy uncle Zeke’s. So join the crew every Saturday from 10am – noon for the Car Show. Brought to you by Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center.